towing a5er and getting a lot of teeter totter down the road

[gamma3116]

I would like to know how to slow down this teeter totter action I get while going down the road. It gets bad at times were the t.v. speakers will come loose from the cabinets. Any suggestions ?

[goducks10]

I'm assuming your pin box bolts are tight. If so then it would seem you have a flex issue where the pin box is connected. Seems strange for a new 5'er to have that bad of an issue.

[tinner12002]

Is he possibly referring to what is called chucking?

[rhagfo]

jaycocamprs wrote:

gamma3116 wrote:
I notice the pin box doesent move. It the body of the trailer. You can see were the body rubs on the pinbox as it teeters up and down, when it gets bad.

I would look at the frame around where the pinbox bolts up. This is a known problem area on Keystone 5'vers with Lippert frames. You should not have movement in this area.

X2

If it is rubbing it is beyond maybe a little flex of the front cap, time to checkout the frame at the pin box. I assume you have owned the 5er since new.

[jaycocamprs]

gamma3116 wrote:
I notice the pin box doesent move. It the body of the trailer. You can see were the body rubs on the pinbox as it teeters up and down, when it gets bad.

I would look at the frame around where the pinbox bolts up. This is a known problem area on Keystone 5'vers with Lippert frames. You should not have movement in this area.

[gamma3116]

gamma3116 wrote:
I would like to know how to slow down this teeter totter action I get while going down the road. It gets bad at times were the t.v. speakers will come loose from the cabinets. Any suggestions ?

I have a dodge 2011 3500 hd 4 wheel drive . The 5er is a alpine made by keystone its 39 ft . 2012 I travel with no water, the weight is 13, 500 lbs loaded, not maxed out. The hitch is located over the rear axle. When pulling the trailer the truck doesnt bounce up or down. I notice the pin box doesent move. It the body of the trailer. You can see were the body rubs on the pinbox as it teeters up and down, when it gets bad.

[goducks10]

MorRyde, TrailAir, Demco and the list goes on.

[TomG2]

OP, you have six guesses (including mine) without any information on the tow vehicle or trailer. Models? Weight ratings? Actual weights? Then the guesses might mean something.

(BTW, six is not bad, I have seen a dozen or more with even less facts.)

[dbbls]

Lack of pin weight is more that likely the problem. You didn't mention what kind of 5th wheel it is. If it is a toy hauler you probably have too much load in the back. It will also help to fill the fresh water tank.

[Jayco-noslide]

With ours the problem was the passenger car tires that came on the truck when we bought it used. LT tires with stiffer sidewalls did the trick.

[TomG2]

The closer I got to level, the better mine towed. Dealer had the front about six inches higher than level to start with. Within five miles, I was ready to return it. Lots of fancy$$$$$ hitches out there that might help too.

[mguay]

I'm guessing you are talking about a porpoise condition? Hitch height is the problem. When hooked up and on level ground, the 5er should be a little nose high. Not level and not down hill. Not too high either!

[TomG2]

Not sure what you mean by "teeter totter". Are you talking side to side, or front to back? I got mine to quit bucking by lowering the front of the trailer. Don't go overboard and get the trailer too near the bed of the truck though.

[Golden_HVAC]

Do your trailer axles have shock absorbers? Some manufactures do not include them - or put them on one axle, not both. Many times they are worn out, and not that good of quality.

Is your hitch mounted with the center 1" forward of the center of the truck axle? If mounted behind the axle, it can cause bad handling on the truck and possibly trailer problems as well.

How much weight is on the hitch? Check the truck front and rear axle weights, then hitch up and check the truck again, then the whole rig, and let us know what you found. Also let us know if the water tank was 1/2 or 1/4 or full.

Most fifth wheels are pretty stable, so suprised to hear this.

Good luck,

Fred.

[1492]

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